NATO chief says Ukraine remains vital at summit despite Zelenskyy's absence from leaders' meeting

Britain Ukraine Royals - (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte insisted Monday Ukraine would remain a vital topic at an alliance summit this week despite President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's absence from a leaders' meeting aiming to seal an agreement to boost military spending.

“You will see important language about Ukraine, including connecting the defense spending up to 2035 to Ukraine, and the need for Ukraine to stay in the fight,” Rutte told reporters on the eve of the two-day summit. “This is a clear commitment by allies.”